By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE
IPPLEPEN have now gone three games without a win on the way down to fourth in the B Division table following a three-wicket defeat by Clyst St George.
A Neil Hancock century – 156 fours, four sixes, 95 balls – was the main event in Pens’ total of 222 for eight in 41 overs.
Hancock’s stand of 128 with Adam Bryce (58) took the Pens up to 165 for four.
Bertie Creer (3-55) and Andrew Donovan (2-52) were Saints’ leading wicket-taking bowlers.
Clyst were an unimpressive 25 for three in reply with Dan Kendall, Chris Ferro and Donovan all out.
Freddie Creer dug in for the duration and batted through for an undefeated 63 that was key to winning the game.
Along the way to victory there were stands of 53 with Steve Bourke (63) and 118 with Ronaldo Callender (31).
Par Singh hit George Tapley for four to win it for Saints with two complete overs un-bowled.
For Kendall the win at Ipplepen was significant in more ways than one.
“A big tick for us being able to chase down a sizeable score and at last we got our first away win,” said Kendall.
“Our new-ball bowlers were excellent, but credit to Hancock for playing a faultless innings.
“Steve Bourke injected some momentum into the run chase and a fabulous partnership between Freddie Creer and Ronaldo got us most of the way there. Both showed great maturity and application in the way they batted.”
Simon Tapley, the team manager said highlights for Ipplepen were there if you looked for them
“Our debutants – Owen Penrice, Toby Radford and Freddie Harvey – played really well,” said Tapley.
“Freddie had his first two B Division wickets in four balls and Toby pulled off one of best catches I've seen to dismiss Callander.
“Hancock was brilliant with the bat, as was Adam Bright, but you only have to look at the scorecard to see that we need more contributions from all the batters. Dom Durman hit the last two balls of the innings for 10 to be the only other batter in double figures.”
Ipplepen were short of regular bowlers Ash Harvey, Marcus Green Tom Durman and Andy Bligh, which may have made a difference.
“Hopefully our availability picks up soon as any side in the division would miss them from their bowling attack,” said Tapley.
